and today president obama defended susan rice after criticism of her in the after math of that attack. >> she made an appearance at the request of the white house in which she gave her best understanding of the intelligence that had been provided. if senator mccain and others want to go after somebody, they should go after me. >> he pushed back against senators who said they would do whatever to subtle her nomination if he picks her to replace hillary clinton. senator john mccain shot back. >> this president and this administration has either been guilty of incompetence or engaged in a cover up negotiate of which are acceptable to the american people. >> and to that senator lindsey gram added mr. president don't think for one minute i don't hold you ultimately responsible. gram said he didn't trust interior rice after the bensenville reports. >>> the security counsel is meeting privately tonight. the secretary general has spoke within egypt's prime minister about the escalation of violence in the region. they carried out r50 strikes in gaza today. one killed the commander of ha mass.